During these troubling times, I can't help wishing for a happier America. I want a Renaissance for our children... a real shot at the things that make people happy. But how do we get there from here? Well, for a start, let's examine a truly 'happy' place...
Denmark is a tiny country, about the size of Massachusetts, rich in oil and gas from the North Sea. Its six million residents have one of the highest income tax rates in the world...
But they get their money's worth from the taxes they pay. Denmark has a truly transparent government that works for its people, sans all the waste, abuse and fraud. Corrupt politicians don't callously use a permanent, unemployed underclass for raising money and votes to stay in power. The Danish government doesn't pit one group against the other. Instead, it addresses their common good and protects it with a tight immigration policy. Hence, most of the people are native Danes. Although freedom of religion is guaranteed, most of the populace practice the same religion, too.
Admittedly, it's impossible to replicate this in our gigantic, sprawling country with 300 million legal citizens and another 12 million illegal residents. We have multiple races, cultures, religions, geography and interests. Still, there are lessons for us in Denmark. America is rich in natural resources, innovation and industry, but much of our wealth is siphoned off by an elite class of corrupt politicians, lobbyists and corporations. Unlike the Danes, the American middle class DOES NOT get its "money's worth" for all the taxes it pays to the Federal Beast in Washington, and the underclass it supports never breaks out of poverty. So, how do we get there from here?
For a start, for any chance at all, we need to give more power to the states. We need to keep government small and local, where the people can keep a close eye on it, and where it can serve the unique needs of that area and a manageable number of citizens. Will everything be free? Probably not, but each state can find a balance that works best for its people. Let's return to our roots. We can be that democratic republic that sends its representatives to Washington for limited terms and compensation, charged with performing the limited duties laid out for our Federal government in the Constitution.
So, can America be like Denmark? No. But Massachusetts can. And Ohio can. And Texas can. And Florida can.....
Lee
Denmark is a tiny country, about the size of Massachusetts, rich in oil and gas from the North Sea. Its six million residents have one of the highest income tax rates in the world...
But they get their money's worth from the taxes they pay. Denmark has a truly transparent government that works for its people, sans all the waste, abuse and fraud. Corrupt politicians don't callously use a permanent, unemployed underclass for raising money and votes to stay in power. The Danish government doesn't pit one group against the other. Instead, it addresses their common good and protects it with a tight immigration policy. Hence, most of the people are native Danes. Although freedom of religion is guaranteed, most of the populace practice the same religion, too.
Admittedly, it's impossible to replicate this in our gigantic, sprawling country with 300 million legal citizens and another 12 million illegal residents. We have multiple races, cultures, religions, geography and interests. Still, there are lessons for us in Denmark. America is rich in natural resources, innovation and industry, but much of our wealth is siphoned off by an elite class of corrupt politicians, lobbyists and corporations. Unlike the Danes, the American middle class DOES NOT get its "money's worth" for all the taxes it pays to the Federal Beast in Washington, and the underclass it supports never breaks out of poverty. So, how do we get there from here?
For a start, for any chance at all, we need to give more power to the states. We need to keep government small and local, where the people can keep a close eye on it, and where it can serve the unique needs of that area and a manageable number of citizens. Will everything be free? Probably not, but each state can find a balance that works best for its people. Let's return to our roots. We can be that democratic republic that sends its representatives to Washington for limited terms and compensation, charged with performing the limited duties laid out for our Federal government in the Constitution.
So, can America be like Denmark? No. But Massachusetts can. And Ohio can. And Texas can. And Florida can.....
Lee
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